Dream Children's Garden

Rummer

I would like to turn my garden into a fabulous play area for my son and I am looking for some ideas. What I would like is to have lots of things that encourage imaginative play that I can introduce or use over a period of time. I will not be filling it with plastic although a few things like that would be fun. What I have in mind so far is:

• willow den/structure
• den building materials
• sand pit
• water table
• mud kitchen
• weaving frame
• fairy garden
• garden digging/planting area

We also have a variety of toys and natural materials that can be used in the garden which we can dip into over the year as well. All ideas welcome

REEN

Sand pits are great, just remember to keep it covered so it doesn't become a cat loo. My youngest enjoyed his swing, and his dinosaur garden was a hit. Night time expeditions with torches to look for moths on the buddleia were fun!

theoretica

Have you thought about somewhere to hang a hamock?

Davesnave

Washing machine box.

Never fails.

bouicca21

Small (and obviously safe) wildlife pond.

Rummer

Thank you for the ideas so far

Reen, what did the dinosaur garden involve?

Dave, who doesn't love a giant box

Theoretica, there is nowhere we could hang a hammock but one with a frame may be a thought for the future.

Bouicca, I have seen bucket/tub wildlife ponds which we may consider in the future.

We spend a lot of time around the house and garden so I really want it to be special. We would love a big climbing frame and are looking out for one on gumtree/ebay but a new one is way out of our price range.

Piggywiggy

What about a small section to grow fruit and vegetables so he can learn about plants at the same time as providing you with a bit of food.

kathrynha

Pinterest is full of brilliant ideas. If you search "childrens garden" on there you will get some wonderful ideas, some expensive but a lot very cheap.

Wildlife hotels
Water walls
Sensory play
Imaginary play areas
Stepping stones

REEN

Rummer, the dinosaur garden was just a selection of plastic dinosaurs, stones to make caves and mountains, and tough plants where the predators would hide to ambush the herbivores!

Rummer

Piggywiggy wrote: »

What about a small section to grow fruit and vegetables so he can learn about plants at the same time as providing you with a bit of food.

We already grow a lot of our own fruit and veg so he will get the chance to help with that side of our garden. It is so important for children to know where their food comes from.

REEN

I forgot to mention the bugbox. A small plastic box with a magnifier in the lid where beasties can be examined safely at close quarters before being returned to where they were found. Magnified, said beasties can be very impressive! Hours of fun for a pound or two, and can be taken further if the child is interested, to identifying them and learning about their lives.